Women’s History Month: Mulan, a Strong Warrior

March means it’s Women’s History Month and we here at Pirates and Princesses are ready to celebrate Disney females who prove that women are strong and brave.

We start with an obvious choice in Mulan, the fearless warrior who fights in her father’s spot in the war against the Huns.

Note: Major spoilers ahead for the 1998 animated feature, Mulan

Fa Mulan starts the 1998 animated film as a young lady looking to bring honor to her family. She is brought to a matchmaker to create her into the ideal wife which doesn’t really work out in her favor. An avid viewer would realize that this means she is destined for bigger things in her life than being a wife.

Knowing that her father may be drafted into the war against the Huns, she disguises herself as a man in the family and joins the war effort. That in itself is an act of bravery which shows how strong of a woman that she truly is. She obviously loves her family and would do anything for them.

Her strength truly shines through when she works hard to strengthen herself to prove her worth in the army. “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” is arguably one of the best songs of the movie showing Mulan push herself (disguised as Fa Ping) eventually reaching the pinnacle of strength in climbing the pole and reaching the top.

Not only does Mulan use her strength in the battle against the Huns, but also uses her intellect. The Huns are buried in avalanche due to her sharp thinking. Her deception is uncovered, but she also discovers Shan Yu’s plans for the Emperor. In the end, she assists in the defeat of Shan Yu and the Hun invasion and saves the emperor. She is rewarded as Mulan for her heroic efforts thus bringing honor upon her family.

Mulan is a pillar of strength and devotion to family. She is brave, strong, and independent. She uses her determination, strength, and intelligence to overcome challenge and defeat villains.

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